Mo' Money

The state Democratic Party is declaring victory in the dash for cash after out-fundraising the state GOP by about $400,000.

The Dems reported they have taken in about $1.7 million since January, with $203,000 in its state committee account, $1.3 million in its housekeeping account (the one that has the least restrictions in terms of spending) and $302,000 in its federal account.

The Republicans took in more than $1.3 million since January, according to executive director Ryan Moses, with the breakdown as to what’s where as follows: $258,000 in housekeeping, $221,000 reporting, $223,000 federal.

The Democrats could hardly contain their glee.

“Reversing the long running money advantage that Republicans formerly held is just another nail in their coffin this year,” said state Chairman Herman “Denny” Farrell Jr.

The Republicans out-raised the Democrats by more than $3 million in 2002, $500,000 in 2003, $2.4 million in 2004 and $1.5 million in 2005.

That makes a lot of sense, since the GOP has been the party in power for the last 12 years. Given the current state of the Republican Party, theirÂ fundraising numbers this time around could beÂ considered something of an achievement.

Meanwhile,Â the financial filing of Friends of Pataki,Â the governor’s state-level campaign committee, is up on the state Board of Elections site. After maxing out with $33,900 contributions to the campaigns of John Fasso, J. Christopher Callaghan and Jeanine Pirro, Pataki’s still sitting on $2.3 million. He’s spent only $253,328 since January. Â